Has anyone ELSE beat column lock?
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 474
Likes: 0
From: Moncks Corner South Carolina
Originally Posted by CAPN17
Ever hear of the CLB, if not your will hear from a flatbed one of these times. No one beats one of the Generals booby traps for long, then the General has the last laugh.
HaHaHaHa. Well said.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Originally Posted by C5 Dawg
I'm relatively new to the C5s. Is there a cutoff year or date for the steering lock problems? Thanks.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 5,169
Likes: 6
From: Greenville SC
Originally Posted by Mean Green
Be sure to post when it locks up on ya next time, far from home....
There are two camps here, people that prevent the issue from happening and those waiting for it to lock on them.
There are two camps here, people that prevent the issue from happening and those waiting for it to lock on them.
NO COLUMN LOCK ISSUES UP TO NOW.
Sorry for all the folks that predicted Doom and Gloom - but so far, my "lose your temper" method has worked.
I still try to avoid setting the column lock (which is hard, since I tend to catch the steering wheel as my fat butt gets in the car) but basically, it hasn't happened since I posted here 4 months ago.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 2,080
From: Guelph, Ontario
Originally Posted by Tom Steele
One other thing I do, is try my very best NOT to set column lock if possible.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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My advice would be to invest the $60 or so and get the column lock bypass. Its an easy install and it will prevent this from happening. Next time, you may not get it unlocked.
Navigator
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
okay, if someone does not mind, break this down barney style.
If you just bought a 98, and did not know to ask about clb, and the guy you bought it from does not know, is there a way to find out if there is CLB installed or not? Other, than waiting for this to happen to you....
If you just bought a 98, and did not know to ask about clb, and the guy you bought it from does not know, is there a way to find out if there is CLB installed or not? Other, than waiting for this to happen to you....
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Levelland, TX USA
Here is what a forum member told me to do:
With Key off
Turn wheel hard left then
Hard right, keep holding hard right while
Turning on key, then release wheel.
It worked first time. Saved me from having it towed to the dealer. I had it fixed by the dealer. I asked the mechanic about the bypass. He showed me the parts GM uses and explained that it could not malfunction again because the new plate does not have holes for the pin to drop into.
I called GM's 800 cust. relations office and after sending documentation of the repair, they refunded 100%. About one month ago I received an official recall notice from GM. I have a 2000 A4. I think GM intends to recall them all on a year by year schedule.
With Key off
Turn wheel hard left then
Hard right, keep holding hard right while
Turning on key, then release wheel.
It worked first time. Saved me from having it towed to the dealer. I had it fixed by the dealer. I asked the mechanic about the bypass. He showed me the parts GM uses and explained that it could not malfunction again because the new plate does not have holes for the pin to drop into.
I called GM's 800 cust. relations office and after sending documentation of the repair, they refunded 100%. About one month ago I received an official recall notice from GM. I have a 2000 A4. I think GM intends to recall them all on a year by year schedule.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 3
From: Orland Park Illinois
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Originally Posted by C5 Dawg
I'm relatively new to the C5s. Is there a cutoff year or date for the steering lock problems? Thanks.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 589
Likes: 0
Does the installation of the CLB create other potential problems? I have read posts that after installing the CLB the DIC started throwing malfunction codes. If that happens doesn't the possibility of the computer still shutting off the fuel exist? How does the CLB prevent that?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 5,169
Likes: 6
From: Greenville SC
Originally Posted by Patman
What do you mean by this? How could you control that? When you shut the engine off you'll always hear the column lock itself, you have no control over that.
Hit it with your leg and you'll hear it click as it locks. I believe there is a ratchet-like mechanism to the column lock and unless you set the steering wheel against that ratchet, it doesn't lock.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Dallas TX
Instead of a CLB (which a few people claim will screw things up with the BCM over time - don't know if that's true or not), can't you just remove the column lock itself? i.e. install the parts from a 2001+ automatic car into your column lock afflicted car?
This would be preferrable to the recall, which as I understand it doesn't remove the column lock, it just programs the computer to cut fuel to the engine when the column lock locks.
This would be preferrable to the recall, which as I understand it doesn't remove the column lock, it just programs the computer to cut fuel to the engine when the column lock locks.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,979
Likes: 5
From: San Diego, CA "leaf" "tee" "e"
Originally Posted by skyman51
Does the installation of the CLB create other potential problems? I have read posts that after installing the CLB the DIC started throwing malfunction codes. If that happens doesn't the possibility of the computer still shutting off the fuel exist? How does the CLB prevent that?
It is possible to mod the column lock plate, but it's a lot easier to drop the knee pad and plug in the CLB.
SemperFidelis, it's easist to look. If you want, I can post a pic tomorrow of my install.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,117
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis, MO
Originally Posted by leaftye
No codes here. I believe the problem is the column doesn't unlock when it gets the code, but it still thinks it unlocked. The CLB makes the column think it's locking and unlocking like normal.
It is possible to mod the column lock plate, but it's a lot easier to drop the knee pad and plug in the CLB.
SemperFidelis, it's easist to look. If you want, I can post a pic tomorrow of my install.
It is possible to mod the column lock plate, but it's a lot easier to drop the knee pad and plug in the CLB.
SemperFidelis, it's easist to look. If you want, I can post a pic tomorrow of my install.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Funny to still see so many posts on the CL. I remember one guy laughing at so many people because he knew that his would never lock. He thought the reason for the lock was because most people pull on the steering wheel when the get in and out of the car, but then one day PRESTO his CL would not Unlock.
He did admit to it on the forum and then got the CLB. If you have a MN6 your chances of CL is much greater than the A4. I am not sure if I would use one on a car before 00 because of some issues, but 00 and on I definately would use it.
I put my on my 01 MN6 and have no problems or worries.
He did admit to it on the forum and then got the CLB. If you have a MN6 your chances of CL is much greater than the A4. I am not sure if I would use one on a car before 00 because of some issues, but 00 and on I definately would use it.
I put my on my 01 MN6 and have no problems or worries.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,117
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis, MO
Originally Posted by Wicked Weasel
Funny to still see so many posts on the CL. I remember one guy laughing at so many people because he knew that his would never lock. He thought the reason for the lock was because most people pull on the steering wheel when the get in and out of the car, but then one day PRESTO his CL would not Unlock.
He did admit to it on the forum and then got the CLB. If you have a MN6 your chances of CL is much greater than the A4. I am not sure if I would use one on a car before 00 because of some issues, but 00 and on I definately would use it.
I put my on my 01 MN6 and have no problems or worries.
He did admit to it on the forum and then got the CLB. If you have a MN6 your chances of CL is much greater than the A4. I am not sure if I would use one on a car before 00 because of some issues, but 00 and on I definately would use it.
I put my on my 01 MN6 and have no problems or worries.
Why not on pre- 00? I have a 99 M6, so I am interested. Also, how can you tell if it has already been done (just bought it)?
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,979
Likes: 5
From: San Diego, CA "leaf" "tee" "e"
Never got around to taking a pic, but this guide can easily help you figure out how to find out if you have it already, and if not, how to install it.
http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=24
http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=24
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 3
From: Orland Park Illinois
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Don't get mad at your car---get mad at yourself. You've been a member for 5 years, undoubtly have read countless threads on column lock problems and you have not yet installed a CLB..... 
